The old man, standing with his hands folded behind his back, scrutinized her for a few moments. "You do seem familiar."
"Skinny Orian? Your errand boy during the plague in the west? Two years back, I worked with you when you came to my village to stop the outbreak. At that time, you guided me about the importance of daily baths as well as how to treat injuries through alternative means when required herbs are not in season."
"Orian?" Erich mumbled as the fog on his memories lifted. It finally struck him— this should be that young herbalist who wished to become a physician. "I do remember you. Your grandfather has dementia."
Given the strange and moody personality of this physician, she should have expected that he would only remember her through her sick grandfather.
"I am in need of your help," she said.
"What is it?"
"I...can’t tell it here," she said hesitantly. "I need to talk to you alone."
"Is this about your grandfather?"
"Yes, Master."
"You seem to be a royal servant. Is your grandfather in the palace as well?"
"He’s not."
"Then? I can’t leave given the circumstances."
The King of Griven was his current patient, and Erich was only one person. He could only dedicate his sole attention to the King for now.
"I will manage it later, but Master Cenric, I really need your help. It is very important to me."
He stared at her desperate face and it brought back the memories from two years back when this young boy was desperately crying for his help. Now, he could almost remember what their last talk was about.
"Alright," he said. "Follow me."
He turned to leave but he heard Oriana say, "I will get the permission from my superior first and come to meet you in your lodging, Master."
Erich waved her away and continued on his way. Meanwhile, she returned to her place outside the King’s chamber, feeling relieved that she found a chance to talk to the old man.
’Now, all I have to do is to ask permission to meet my master.’
Moments later, Arlan stepped out of the King’s chamber. His knights and servants then silently followed him, and the direction they were headed... was precisely Erich’s current residence.
Oriana was pleasantly surprised to see Arlan heading to the same side palace where the servants were ordered to leave the prince’s gifts.
To show courtesy, Arlan left his retinue outside when he entered the guest residence.
’The prince has been frowning ever since he left that room. Is the King’s situation that serious?’ Oriana wondered.
The palace servant assigned to residence led Arlan to the drawing room where Erich was apparently expecting his arrival. He was aware the Crown Prince would come to him to talk in detail about his father’s situation.
"Let me thank you again for agreeing to come to Griven."
"You came to me as a son worried for his father. If you demanded that I come using your status, even if you offer me your kingdom’s treasury, I would not even bat an eyelid towards you."
Arlan merely smiled. "I hope you do enjoy what little hospitality we can afford you."
"Which reminds me, I heard you sent expensive gifts for me, Prince Arlan."
"I know these things don’t interest you, Physician Winfield, but this is the royal family’s show of gratitude. After all, you are an esteemed guest who journeyed to another kingdom."
"Well, I will just donate it to the needy ones."
"Do as you please."
As the Crown Prince of Griven, Arlan was also not interested in the gifts provided merely as part of etiquette. His mind was focused on more important things.
"I would rather you gave me rare herbs, perhaps those banned ones and not available for purchase in the auction houses."
"There is a reason why those things are banned, and as a physician, you must know how terrible life was prior to their ban."
"As a physician, I can tell you that there is no good or bad when it comes to products of nature. In fact, most problems have their solution found in nature. It’s us humans who find terrible and harmful ways of using them."
"More harm is what we don’t want. That is why there is a need to regulate them. As you said, humans are the cause of the problem, hence it is better to deprive them of access."
"Can’t deny it, but this is not a matter that is as easy as black and white. Rules are dead, but people are living. Every rule should have an exception. Do you know how many lives could have been saved by some of the herbs the kingdom alliance banned? I am one of those who wish to put them to good use—"
"Regardless of intentions, no one is allowed to have them. I am sure a skilled physician like yourself can find other ways to heal diseases without needing to use them."
"Who knows about when and what kind of situation can arise in the future."
Arlan ignored him and changed the subject, "I wish to know about your real opinion on my father’s situation."
"I am not a god to promise anything, but I can assure you about my honest efforts and I won’t be lacking in that," the old physician said.
"About King Ailwin, I still need to conduct several examinations on his body over the course of the next three days, but from what I observed, he had thoroughly abused his body for decades.
"From the color of his lips and nails, your father ought to have experienced multiple poisoning attempts since young. His grayish complexion, the dilation of his eyes and the slight trembling of his hand muscles meant poor eating habits, little to no sleep, and work stress. All those combined caused his body’s natural immunity to weaken over time.
"He thought I would not notice, but he tried his best to breathe as normally in front of me. I suspect an infection has spread on his lungs, and if left unmanaged, his organs will fail one by one. I am sure that the Head Royal Physician here must have already explained it to your family."
Arlan nodded. "Indeed. His health has been poor for the past few years, yet it is difficult to deal with him because he always insists he is fine and healthy."